Label cut-off actuating device



March 5, 1963 BlBEN LABEL CUT-OFF ACTUATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10, 1959 INVENTOR. EDWARD BIBEN FIG. IO

ATTORNEYS;

March 5, 1963 E. BIBEN 3,079,825

LABEL CUT-OFF ACTUATING DEVICE Filed Nov. 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWARD BIBEN ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,979,325 LABEL CUT-GEE AQTUATlNG BEWCF. Edward Biben, Somerdale, Ni, assignor to En. ate industries, Inc, Fhiladelphia, Pa, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Nov. iii, 195d, Eden No. 252Ji-9l 7 Claims. (Cl. b3-2t3h) This invention relates to labelling machines and more particularly relates to a precision label cut-oil actuating de 'ice for such machines.

It is a prerequisite of a labelling machine that the label be precisely cut on a line that is in definite spaced relationship to the printed matter on the label, that the label after application, show no indentations on its periphery that is indicative of a machine operation or is foreign to the label as applied or that mars the appearance of the label.

In prior art devices indexing holes or squares remain in evidence after the label has been applied, in the form of notches or semi-circular indentations on the periphery of the label.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a label cut-0E actuating device that functions to cut a label from a ribbon of labels in a manner that leaves no evidence on the periphery of the label after it has been applied to a package or container.

Another object or this invention is to provide a label cut-off actuating device that will present a surface to the label edge that will minimize the wear on the label edge and thereby prevent frayed or torn labels.

Another object of this invention is to provide a label cut-oft actuating device that is readily adjustable to take various width ribbons of labels and automatically adjusts to cut ofi labels of difierent lengths.

Other objects of this invention are to provide an improved device of the character described which is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy and compact in construction, and which provides a maximum of ease in adjustment when setting up the labelling machine for application of the labels to a package or container.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists in details of construction as hereinafter shall be described.

As this invention relates to a precision label cut-oil actuating device, only that portion of the labelling machine and its associated parts will be described. Suffice to say that the ribbon of labels are fed by power driven feed rollers into the label cut-ofi actuating device and, after passing through and tripping the label cut-oil actuating device, continue as a ribbon through a cutting device. This cutting device is mechanically operated by a cam means (not shown) on the main drive shaft of the macll ne.

The description will be more readily understood when 'the description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a label cut-0d actuating device embodying the present invention, the device being shown in operation upon a ribbon of labels.

FlG. 2 is an elevational View of the indexing mechanism taken along line 2-2 of PEG. 1, some parts being omitted for greater clarity of the parts shown.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the indexing mechanism similar to FIG. 2 but with a part broken away, the mechanism being shown in the tripped position.

FIG. 4- is an elevational view taken along line 4-4 of l with parts being omitted for greater clarity of the parts shown, the indexing mechanism being in the position where the indexing finger has been engaged by a slit in the ribbon of labels.

r e-dented Mar. 55, l53

PEG. 5 is an elevational view of the indexing mechanism similar to FIG. 4 but showing the indexing finger being carried along by the movement of the ribbon of labels.

PEG. 6 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the indexing mechanism after the indexing finger has been disengaged with the ribbon of labels.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view similar to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 showing the indexing mechanism disengaged and the indexing linger in the process of retraction.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the label cut-ofif actuating device taken along line 8-45 of FIG. 1.

PEG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ribbon of labels utilizable with the present invention.

PK 10 is a somewhat schematic View of the feed roll actuating mechanism and its associated parts.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, there is disclosed a precision label cubofi actuating device, generally designated A (see FIG. 1). A ribbon of labels B entering the label cut-oil actuating device in the direction of the arrow shown is guided and positioned While passing through the label cut-oil actuating device A by guide angles 1 and 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). The guide angles 1 and 2. are fixedly attached to guide angle support and positioning members 3 and 4 respectively, which in turn are slidable on and adjustably supported by the parallel rods 5 and 6. Set screws 7 and 8 are provided in the guide angle positioning members 3 and 4 respectively to secure the guide angle positioning members on the parallel rods 5 and 6 at the desired adjustable distance in accordance with the width of the ribbon of labels B. The purpose or this adjustment is to maintain the ribbon of labels in correct spaced relationship to an index mechanism, generally designated C.

The indexing mechanism C is positioned below the guide angles 1 and 2 so that the top of the indexing mechanism is at the same level as the upper surface of the horizontal flanges of the guide angles 1 and 2 (see F1 8). With this arrangement, the underside of the ribbon of labels B is in contact with the upper side of the horizontal flanges of the guide angles 1 and 2. while in position on the indexing member C.

Slits 9 are pierced through the ribbon of labels B at the time the ribbon of labels is printed. The indexing mechanism C comprises a carriage which is slidably and adjustabiy positioned on a support rod 10 and secured in desired adjusted position thereon by a set screw 11 (see hi6. 3). it is adjustably secured in such a position as to insure that a finger l2 pivotally connected to the carriage oi the indexing mechanism C will be engaged by one of slits 9 as the ribbon of labels 13 passes through the label cut-oil actuating unit A (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5).

The finger 12, in the form of a short blunt knife, is positioned and secured in a position to permit it to enter a preformed slit in the ribbon of labels. It is also positioned so that the fiat, broad side thereof is presented to the side of the slit to insure that force exerted on the side of the finger by the ribbon of labels as the ribbon is fed through is transmitted to the finger and to the parts associated therewith.

The ..nger i2 is fixedly mounted on a carrier 13 which, in turn, is pivotally mounted on a pin 14 which is fixedly attached to the upper end of an arm 15 (see PEGS. 4, 5 and 6). The carrier is resiliently biased toward the horizontal position by a helical tension spring 16 attached at its lower end to a pin on the arm 15 and at its upper end to an extending lever arm 1'7 which is fixedly attached to the carrier 13. The lever arm 17 and the spring 16 tend to rotate the carrier 13 around the pin 14; however, the carrier is restrained from moving above the horizontal by the outstanding leg of a stop 13, which engages a corresponding recessed portion of the carrier 13 (see FIG. 8). With this arrangement it will be readily observed that although the top of the arm 15 moves back and'forth, as hereinafter described, the carrier 13 moves in a horizontal plane while slidably held against the 'stop 18 by the spring 15. During such horizontal movement, the finger 1 2 projects above the upper surface of the indexing mechanism, except as hereinafter described (see FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5). e

Theribbon of labels B is pulled through the machine by feed rollers R and R (note FIG. 3). The individual labels are severed from the strip by a knife K. The feed rolls R and R and the knife Kare actuated in synchronism by a respective feed cam and knife cam 'on the main drive shaft. The main drive shaft is operated by means of a handle or footped'aloperated one-revolution clutch (not shown) which is arranged to engage the main drive shaft with the main drive motor (not shown) for one revolution. g I I v With the finger 12 of the indexing mechanism projecting through a slit '9 on the ribbon of labels B, the carrier 13, on which the finger 12 is' m ounted, 'is moved linearly by the ribbon of labels B. As the carrier 13 is attached to the arm 15, this movement of thefing'er 12 and carrier 13 causes the arm 15 to pivot around the pin 19. The pivotal movement of the arm 15 sets up tension in a helical tension spring 20, which is fixedly attached to a pin A on the armlS and to a pin 20B fixedly attached to. the frame 23 of the label cut-off actuating device A.

When the carrier 13 is movedlinearlya predetermined distance, it corresponds to apivotal distance of the arm 15 which is'just sufficient to move aproiec ing arm 2 disposed parallel to the trip arrn pin 19, downwardly. As the projecting arm 254 is normally disposedto engage the contact of a switch 26 (see FIGS. 2 and 8), the downward movement of the projecting arm 24- is sufficient to release pressure against contact 25 thereby opening the switch 26 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). When the switch 26 is open, an electrical circuit (see FIG. 10) deenergizes the feed roll drive mechanisms (as hereinafter more fully described) and the ribbon B stops its linear motion. The, knife K isthen actuated by the knife cam on the main drive shaft to cut a label from the ribbon.

The switch 26, used on the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, isofthe micrometer type that functions precisely at a definite position in the movement of the contact 25 to breakthe electrical circuit.

In setting upand subsequently adjusting the labelling machine, the label cut-01f actuating device A is positioned so thatIthe knife K cuts a label from the ribbon'B on a line that coincides with the slits 9 in the ribbon. In this manner, a label is cut from theribbon in such man ner that there is no indication Where the indexing finger was used.. ,There is also no marring of the periphery of the cut-off label. e

The actuating means for discontinuously operating the machine includes a solenoid 27 having a plunger 28. A solenoid lever arm or rocker arm 29 is provided at its lower end with an offset flange 30, while at its upper end, it isJpivotally connected to a pin 31 fixed to the frame 23. The fiange 30 is hingedly positioned in an openended slot 28A formed in the end of plunger 28 by means of a hinge pin 30A.

v The solenoid 27 is adapted to be momentarily energized by a switch (not shown) which is closed by the aforementioned feed cam on the main drive shaft when said drive shaft'is engaged by the aforementioned onerevolution clutch. Upon such'energization, the plunger "28 is drawn into the solenoid 27.

FIGSJI and 5).

When the solenoid 27' is energized and the solenoid plunger 28 is drawn into the solenoid, the pivotally at- 4 tached solenoid lever arm 29 is rotated on the pin 31; this causes the trip bar 32, which is fixedly attached to the solenoid lever arm 29, to move downwardly and impinge on the trip lug 33 on the carrier 13. This forces the carrier to pivot on the pin 14 and withdraw the finger 12 from the slit 9 in the ribbon B (see'FIG. 6).

With the finger 12 withdrawn from the slit 9, the carrier 13 and arm 15 are free to move back to the rest position against the stop pin 22 under the tension of the spring 20 (see FIG. 7). This brings the projecting arm 24 back into engagement with switch contact 25 so that the circuit is closed.

The switch 26 is electrically connected through wires 34 to a solenoid 35 (see FIG. 10). This solenoid 35 is provided with a plunger 36 pivotal ly'co nnected at 37 to one end of a shaft 38. The shaft 38 carries aworm 39 adapted to mesh with a gear '40. The shaft 38, at its other end, is universally connected at 37' to a geh'r shaft 41 provided with a gear '42. The gear42 isinmesh with a gear 43 on a motor shaft 44 extending from a consta'ntly running motor 45. When the switch 26 is closed, the plunger 36 is pulled in to hold the worm 39 in engagement with gear 40. The motor then acts through worm 39 and gear 40 to rotate the 'feedro'lls R and It. This feed motion continues until the'finger 12 has-been re-engaged in a slot in the ribbon and has been linearly moved a distance sutficient to move 'arm 24'toagain open the switch 26. p

The r'e-engagement'of'finger 12 in a slot is effected by the spring "16 acting on the'lever arm-17 to pivot'theca'rrier 13 around the pin 14 to force the finger '12 up in contact with the underside of'th'e ribbon B. The finger 1'2 continues to ride the underside of theribbon B (see FIG. 7) until it engages the next slit 9 indie 'ribbon. The finger is then forced'up'into the slit by the spring 16. e In the embodiment illustrated, a weight D is provided to insure that'the labels remain in contact with the upper surface of the indexingmechanism C,'to react'against the upward thrust of thefinger 12 "andt'q insure theprop'er penetration'of the finger 12 into the slit f the ribbon.

The weight D is rotatably mounted on a carrier "46 which in turn is adjustably positioned and supported by the parallel rod 5. The carrier is secured in the desired position by the set screw 47. With this arrangement, the weightcan be positioned directly'in "front of the finger 12 (see FIG. 8), and secured'in this position-by the set screw47.

The weight D, being rotatablymountedon a hollow shaft extension 48 of the carrier '46, is provided with an off-set 49 on its upper surface. The oif-set 49 is arranged to engage a stop bar 50 that projectsoutwardly from the carrier '46. The combination of the oiI-set '49 and the stop bar 50 permits the operator to movethe weight D to a retained, upright position'when threading the machine.

The weight D is provided with an adjustment screw '51 and lock nut 52. The adjustingscrewis positionedto impinge on the flattened top of the parallel bar 5 and permit adjustment of the clearance between the semi- 'ment. However, it may be made continuous by placing a switch in a position to be actuated 'by a contact connected to a cam on the main driveshaft. This switch would be electrically connectedto -a solenoid having a plunger connected-to thefinger-l-Z to momentarilyoperate to pull the finger from the holes'in the ribbon once during each rotation of the drive shaft. I

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is'intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and the scope is to be determined as claimed.

What is claimed as the invention is:

l. A label cnt-off device comprising a frame, a support and guide means on said frame for a linearly movable ribbon of labels having linearly-spaced slots therein to define the edges of the labels, said support and guide means being operatively disposed relative to a carriage fixedly positioned beneath the path of said ribbon during the cut-ofi operation, a finger movably connected to said carriage and adapted to be engaged in the slots of said ribbon, said finger being pivotally and linearly movable relative to said carriage whereby said fin er may move linearly with said rib-bon when said finger is engaged in one of said slots and may be pivotally removed from the slot, biasing means urging said finger toward said ribbon and into engagement with said slot, control means to momentarily pivot said finger out of the slot, means for selectively actuating said control means, normally open switch means on said carriage, engagement means operatively connected to said finger and normally closing said switch means, means for moving said engagement means away from said switch means upon predetermined linear movement of said finger whereby said switch means is permitted to open, means returning said finger into a posi tion where said finger may be again engaged with a slot, feed rolls for moving said ribbon linearly, drive means for said feed rolls, actuating means for said drive means, said switch means being electrically connected to said drive means to deactivate said drive means, and a knife for severing the labels of said ribbon from each other, said knife being actnatable in timed relationship with said feed rolls.

2. The cut-off device of claim 1 whe ein said finger is mounted on a carrier, said carrier being pivotally mounted on an arm, said biasing means urging said carrier to a predetermined position on said arm whereby the carrier is parallel to the linear path of the ribbon, said arm being pivotally connected to said carriage, a second biasing means urging said arm toward a predetermined position around its pivotal axis, said engagement means being connected to said arm, said switch means comprising a switch on said carriage, and said switch having a contact normally engaged by said engagement means when said carrier is in said predetermined position.

3. The cut-ofi device of claim 2 wherein a lever arm is pivotally connected to said carriage, said lever arm having a trip bar at one end and being in pivotal engagement with a solenoid plunger at the other end, said trip bar being in engagement with said carrier, and said solenoid plunger extending from a solenoid coil operatively connected to a selectively actuated operating means.

4. The cut-ofi device of claim 1 wherein said support and guide means comprises a pair of spaced, laterally adjustable support rails.

5. The cut-off device of claim 1 wherein an adjustable weight is provided on said frame for hearing down upon said ribbon to hold it in operative position relative to said finger.

6. A label cut-ofi device for severing individual labels from a ribbon of labels having linearly spaced slots therein, said device comprising a frame, said frame including a pair of plates having guide bars extending between them, a pair of support-rail holding means slidably positioned on said guide bars, each of said holding means having a support and guide rail depending therefrom, means for locking said holding means in slidably adjusted positions on said guide bars, a weight holder slidably positioned on said guide bars between said holding means, means for locking said weight holder in slidably adjusted position on said guide bars, a weight pivotally mounted on said weight holder, an additional guide bar etween said plates of said frame, said additional guide bar being vertically spaced below said first mentioned guide bars, a carriage slidably mounted on said additional guide bar, means for locking said carriage in slidably adjusted position on said additional guide bar to hold said carriage in fixed position during the cut-ofi operation, a finger movably connected to said carriage and adapted to be engaged in the slots of said ribbon, said finger being pivotally and linearly movable relative to said carriage whereby said finger may move linearly with said ribbon when said finger is engaged in one of said slots and may be pivotally removed from the slot, biasing means urging said finger toward said ribbon and into engagement with said slot, control means for momentarily pivoting said finger out of the slot, actuating means operatively connected to said control means, switch means on said carriage, said switch means including a normally open contact, an engagement means operatively connected to said finger andnormally engaging said contact to maintain it in closed position until said finger reaches a predetermined linear position whereupon said engagement means becomes disengaged from said contact, feed means for said ribbon, drive means for said feed means, said switch means being operatively connected to said drive means whereby when said contact is closed the drive means is activated and when said contact is open the drive means is deactivated, and a knife for severing the labels from the ribbon, said knife being driven in timed relationship with said feed means.

7. The cut-ofi device of claim 6 wherein said control means includes a solenoid having a solenoid plunger pivotally engaged with a rocker arm having a trip bar extending therefrom, said trip bar being in engagement with a linearly movable and rockable carrier, said finger being mounted on said carrier.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A LABEL CUT-OFF DEVICE COMPRISING A FRAME, A SUPPORT AND GUIDE MEANS ON SAID FRAME FOR A LINEARLY MOVABLE RIBBON OF LABELS HAVING LINEARLY-SPACED SLOTS THEREIN TO DEFINE THE EDGES OF THE LABELS, SAID SUPPORT AND GUIDE MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY DISPOSED RELATIVE TO A CARRIAGE FIXEDLY POSITIONED BENEATH THE PATH OF SAID RIBBON DURING THE CUT-OFF OPERATION, A FINGER MOVABLY CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIAGE AND ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED IN THE SLOTS OF SAID RIBBON, SAID FINGER BEING PIVOTALLY AND LINEARLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO SAID CARRIAGE WHEREBY SAID FINGER MAY MOVE LINEARLY WITH SAID RIBBON WHEN SAID FINGER IS ENGAGED IN ONE OF SAID SLOTS AND MAY BE PIVOTALLY REMOVED FROM THE SLOT, BIASING MEANS URGING SAID FINGER TOWARD SAID RIBBON AND INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SLOT, CONTROL MEANS TO MOMENTARILY PIVOT SAID FINGER OUT OF THE SLOT, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ACTUATING SAID CONTROL MEANS, NORMALLY OPEN SWITCH MEANS ON SAID CARRIAGE, ENGAGEMENT MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FINGER AND NORMALLY CLOSING SAID SWITCH MEANS, MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ENGAGEMENT MEANS AWAY FROM SAID SWITCH MEANS UPON PREDETERMINED LINEAR MOVEMENT OF SAID FINGER WHEREBY SAID SWITCH MEANS IS PERMITTED TO OPEN, MEANS RETURNING SAID FINGER INTO A POSITION WHERE SAID FINGER MAY BE AGAIN ENGAGED WITH A SLOT, FEED ROLLS FOR MOVING SAID RIBBON LINEARLY, DRIVE MEANS FOR SAID FEED ROLLS, ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID DRIVE MEANS, SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE MEANS TO DEACTIVATE SAID DRIVE MEANS, AND A KNIFE FOR SEVERING THE LABELS OF SAID RIBBON FROM EACH OTHER, SAID KNIFE BEING ACTUATABLE IN TIMED RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID FEED ROLLS. 